Ideas for horse that throws it's head up...

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wench

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All suggestions welcome!

New pony has a tendency to throw head up in the air. This mainly happens when in I'm in a group lesson with the riding school. It did happen a couple of days after I got her in a private lesson; however since then she has not done it when I've been riding her on her own in the school. I'm pretty sure that she's of the opinion "it's my turn, I want to go!"

Back, teeth saddle etc are all fine. Have tried two different saddles, bridles and bits, does it with all of them; although seemed slightly better last night when I used a different bridle. (This of course could be co-incidental as her general ridden behaviour is getting better and better the more I ride her.)

Ideally I want to try and get her out of the habit, as she takes a good hold of the bit and yanks her head about. I have at my disposal, running martingale, market Harborough, and a vast array of bits.

I did think about trying a micklem bridle, as they are only £15 to hire for a couple of weeks. Thought this would help show if it is in fact the bridle or not?
 
I would want to try a standing martingale if she was mine, you don't say that you are having any bit issues?

Is it just a one off throw or constantly?
 
I did wonder about a standing... will have to raid through ebay and preloved to see if I can find one!

It's not constant; we will probably have a couple of good chuck around of the head, then she doesn't do it; first time she tends to catch me unawares, the second time I'm more prepared for her having a yank on the reins!

No bitting issues either btw...
 
^ A loop of heavy elastic or elastic bandage through the rings and the noseband works great for that and gives a bit if you're concerned about the horse's reaction. (I'd never seen an elastic standing until I moved here, but for an older horse with a confirmed habit I can see the reasoning.)
 
My horse is a slightly funny size... I wouldn't want to put the cob sized running martingale I have on her nose band, as it would be too short. I don't have any elastic, or elastic bandages.

Checked out whats on preloved and ebay, and should be able to get a standing very cheaply.
 
Another vote for a standing martingale. If you're not worried about looking posh, any piece of cotton rope can be used (think western tiedown), running through the neckstrap of your running martingale.
 
Standing it is! Knowing the horse all it will take is for her to try a good couple of "yanks" and then realise to stop the behaviour!
 
Cortez said:
Another vote for a standing martingale. If you're not worried about looking posh, any piece of cotton rope can be used (think western tiedown), running through the neckstrap of your running martingale.
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I'm not admitting to anything but binder twine will do the job in a pinch . . . :D
 
Jesstickle said:
My mother used to make my daisy rein out of baler twine for my pony when I was kid. Very classy...
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I think the word you are looking for is "effective" and maybe "economical" although we would now probably say "green".

Dog leads also make excellent daisy reins and in-a-pinch martingales (not to be used for speed sports, kids!). #horsehacks
 
I maintain she just liked to embarass me! :p

And possibly encourage me to keep my own pony's head of the floor so I didn't need them. She is sly like that!
 
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